Politicians often get into trouble for their choice of words and try “walking them back.” How do you do that? Many times, I’ve wished I could “walk a word back” but once it’s spoken, I sure don’t know any way to get it unspoken. The best I could do was apologize for what I said. Another current phrase is to admit, “I misspoke.” What’s that? How about, “I should have kept my mouth shut” or “I lied.” That, at least, would be honest.
Words are funny: they don’t cost a thing, their meanings are intricate, their origins, fascinating. They can be like balloons, blown up with hot air and pompous or they can be weighted with subtle connotations.
Several old sayings emphasize the importance of what is spoken (or written, for that matter) : A man is as good as his word. Or A man’s word is his bond. In olden days, when a king wrote a decree and put his seal on it, it could not be broken, even if keeping his word was to the detriment of the king.
The Bible has much to say about words and the way we use them. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Words can make a person feel wonderful; likewise, words can destroy them. Lies spoken in court have condemned people to prison. Accusations can cut like a knife.
Kind words, encouraging words can make weak people strong and even have a healing quality. Words gently spoken brighten a cloudy day and bring hope to hearts that feel pretty hopeless.
Words can shape lives. Children brought up in a loving, encouraging home where the sky is the limit as far as accomplishments are concerned, where hope is the word of the day and where words spoken in love guide young lives, have a good start in life, a wonderful foundation.
People are known by their words. I have a tendency to avoid people whose vocabulary is laced with words they seem to have picked up out of the gutter. And I try not to be around those whose words are explosive or subtly hurtful. But, I love talking with people who leave me feeling encouraged, hopeful, and good about myself.
It doesn’t matter whether we have a degree from Harvard and a wallet bulging with money or whether each month is a contest between income and outgo, we all have access to those wonderful things called words. We can pick and choose them. We can bless others with them and in the process, bless ourselves.
A writer lives by words. Words and more words. My writing creed goes something like this: the world is full of ugly words, words that appeal to the dark side of human nature, and I determine not to propagate them. Even though I write mysteries, I want the words in my books to bring a little light into the lives of readers, not spread the darkness.
So, a blessing for all of us this morning: May hope greet you with the sun each morning and love lock your door every night and the words you speak be words of healing and truth.
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